Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
Yesterday, the Dodgers signed three prospects early on the first day of the 2018-19 international signing period, highlighted by Venezuelan catcher Diego Cartaya. The Dodgers also signed Dominican right-handed pitcher Jerming Rosario and third baseman Alex De Jesus.
As the day went on, more signings were reported by Ben Badler (Baseball America) and Jesse Sanchez (MLB.com). Here are the known/reported signings so far:
| Player | Position | Age | Country | Bonus |
| Diego Cartaya | C | 16 | Venezuela | $2,500,000 |
| Jerming Rosario | RHP | 16 | Dominican Rep. | $600,000 |
| Alex De Jesus | 3B | 16 | Dominican Rep. | $500,000 |
| Darwin Arainamo | OF | 16 | Venezuela | unknown |
| Ender Avendano | SS | 16 | Venezuela | unknown |
| Miguel Droz | SS | 16 | Venezuela | unknown |
| Luis Izturis | SS | 16 | Venezuela | unknown |
| Gregory Pereira | OF | ? | Venezuela | unknown |
| Jerami Rodriguez | RHP | ? | Venezuela | unknown |
| Christian Suarez | LHP | ? | Venezuela | unknown |
| Rafael Tua | RHP | ? | Venezuela | unknown |
| Horacio Andujar | RHP | ? | Dominican Rep. | unknown |
| Raidel Chacon | RHP | 24 | Cuba | unknown |
| Total | $3,600,000 | |||
| International pool | $4,983,500 | |||
| Difference | $1,383,500 |
All but two of these guys are from Venezuela, and it seems the Dodgers have made a concerted effort to hit the South American country hard on the international front. Thank you very much, Ismael Cruz (Dodgers’ international scouting director).
Before we dive in on some of these guys, yes, Luis Izturis is the nephew of all-time Dodger great Cesar Izturis (and his brother Maicer Izturis). If he’s as good as either of his uncles, then that’d be a big win.
Of the guys whose ages I can’t confirm, I think it’s safe to assume they’re in the 16-to-18-year-old range. I’ll track down those ages as soon as I can.
Anyway, here’s as much information and/or video I can find on all the guys who weren’t in the initial post.
Darwin Arainamo
His bat flip needs a lot of work, but there’s potential there.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bia9BNVnd1N/
Ender Avendano
All you get is an Instagram photo.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbLFkt0gSVg/
Raidel Chacon
OF Raidel Chacon, 55 raw, loudest BP today. pic.twitter.com/7G1sJV8Awk
— Eric Longenhagen (@longenhagen) November 7, 2016
He’s no longer an outfielder, apparently. He hit .275/.331/.366 in Serie Nacional from 2012-15 (his age-18 through 20 seasons), but most of that production came in his first season. This article says he throws 91-93 MPH and touches 94. It also says he has been trying to get a contract for three years.
Horacio Andujar
Horacio Andujar RHp from Mon baseball Academy with his Family in the press conference of Los angeles Dodgers Today. #July3 #jdbsign2018class https://t.co/eueqjI5NSY pic.twitter.com/CRBrwe4546
— JDB BASEBALL RD (@juliobasora25) July 4, 2018
Unless Chacon, he might be 16.
——
Unfortunately, that’s all I could find on the newest signees. Cartaya is still the most exciting prospect signed, but I like De Jesus’ potential, if for no other reason than he has the frame to add some good weight and power as he matures.
There will be more signings, but I wouldn’t expect many more big bonuses. The Dodgers have fewer than $1.4 million remaining. That has to get them to June 15, unless they trade for some more.
Landing Cartaya has already made this a successful class. Here’s hoping we see some of these guys stateside in the next couple years.
